Pivoting cable actuating mechanism

ABSTRACT

A cable actuating mechanism that actuates through a central pivot axis of a pivoting mechanism including two articulating cable actuators that contact opposing ends of a floating pin that passes through the center of the pivot. One actuator is affixed to a stationary assembly of the pivot device and the other actuator is affixed to a rotating body of the device. A first cable pulled at one end of the device pulls a second cable at an opposing end of the device through the articulating cable actuators. The cable actuating mechanism can be used to unlock, for example, a seat recline lock device in an aircraft seat equipped with a pivoting armrest, among other applications within and outside of an aircraft cabin environment.

BACKGROUND

The inventive concepts disclosed herein relate generally to a cableactuating mechanism that actuates through a central pivot axis of apivoting mechanism, and more particularly, to a mechanism including twoarticulating cable actuators that contact opposing ends of a floatingpin passing through a center of a pivot, one actuator being affixed to arotating component and the other actuator being affixed to a fixedcomponent, thereby allowing a first cable segment of the rotatingcomponent to actuate cable translation of a second separate cablesegment of the fixed component through the pivoting mechanism. Themechanism finds particular application, for example, in the pivot of anaircraft seat armrest, allowing a cable from the seat recline button toconnect to a seat recline lock device without requiring that the cablebe routed outside of the pivot area, thus preventing wear and failure ofthe cable over cycling of the pivot of the armrest.

Aircraft passenger seats are commonly equipped with pivoting armrestsand seat recline functionality. Seat recline is typically controlled bya push button actuator mechanism located in the armrest for actuating aremote recline lock device to cause the seatback to be repositioned froman upright position to a reclining position. The push button actuator istypically coupled to one end of a cable such that pushing of the buttonis converted to a pulling force on the cable. The other end of the cableis typically connected to the recline lock device which unlocks therecline lock device in response to application of a pulling force fromthe cable.

The remote location of the push button actuator from the recline lockdevice, along with the requirement for certain armrests to pivot forstowing, necessitates routing the cable around the armrest pivot toavoid wear on the cable over repeated cycling of the armrest pivot,disadvantageously increasing the space needed in the pivot area toaccommodate cable routing.

Therefore, what is needed is a mechanism that can be used in the pivotof an aircraft seat armrest that allows the cable from the seat reclinebutton to connect to the seat recline lock device without requiring thatthe cable be routed outside of the pivot area. Such a mechanism wouldprevent wear and failure of the cable, as well as decrease the amount ofspace needed in the pivot area to accommodate cable routing therebyreducing armrest width.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIVE ASPECTS

To achieve the foregoing and other aspects and advantages, in oneembodiment the inventive concepts disclosed herein are directed to acable actuating mechanism including a first articulating cable actuatoraffixed to a rotating component and a first cable coupled at one end tothe first articulating cable actuator and at an opposing end to anactuator configured to apply a pulling force on the first cable, asecond articulating cable actuator affixed to a stationary component anda second cable coupled at one end to the second articulating cableactuator and at an opposing end to a device responsive to a pullingforce on the second cable, and a pivoting mechanism comprising afloating pin slidably disposed through a center of a pivot shaftcoupling the rotating component and the stationary component, the firstarticulating cable actuator contacting one end of the floating pin andthe second articulating cable actuator contacting an opposing end of thefloating pin such that pulling force on the first cable pulls the secondcable to actuate the device.

In some embodiments, pulling force on the first cable articulates thefirst articulating cable actuator to move the floating pin to articulatethe second articulating cable actuator causing the second cable to bepulled.

In some embodiments, the first articulating cable actuator is pivotallyattached to the rotating component and the second articulating cableactuator is pivotally attached to the stationary component.

In some embodiments, the pivoting mechanism further comprises a damperconfigured to dampen rotation of the pivoting mechanism.

In some embodiments, cable actuation is consistent regardless of angularposition of the rotating component relative to the stationary component.

In some embodiments, the first cable is a jacketed cable, a naked cableor a rod.

In some embodiments, the second cable is a jacketed cable, and a jacketof the jacketed cable is fixed at one end to the stationary component.

In some embodiments, the pivoting mechanism further comprises at leastone additional actuator for actuating a second device having a functiondifferent from a function of the device.

In some embodiments, the actuator is a push button and the stationarycomponent is a seat frame member.

In some embodiments, a total width across the rotating component and thestationary component is less than 8 cm.

In some embodiments, a total width across the rotating component and thestationary component is less than 5 cm.

In some embodiments, the actuator is a push button actuator, therotating component is an armrest, the stationary component is a fixedseat spreader, and the device is a hydraulic lock configured to unlock aseatback pivotally attached to the fixed seat spreader in response topulling force from the second cable.

In another embodiment the inventive concepts disclosed herein aredirected to a cable actuating mechanism that actuates through a centralpivot axis of a pivoting mechanism, the pivoting mechanism including afloating pin slidably disposed through a center of a pivot shaft, afirst articulating cable actuator pivotally attached to a rotatingcomponent and positioned in contact one end of the floating pin, asecond articulating cable actuator pivotally attached to a stationarycomponent and positioned in contact with an opposing end of the floatingpin, the rotating component rotatably coupled to the stationarycomponent, a first cable attached to the first articulating cableactuator and an actuator, and a second cable attached to the secondarticulating cable actuator and a device, wherein the actuator isactuated to pull the first cable to pivot the first articulating cableactuator to move the floating pin thereby pivoting the second cableactuator to pull the second cable to operate the device.

In some embodiments, the rotating component is an armrest, thestationary component is a seat frame member, and the device is a lockdevice for unlocking recline of a seatback pivotally attached to theseat frame member.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Features, aspects and advantages of the present invention are understoodwhen the following detailed description of the invention is read withreference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a pivoting armrest assembly configuredwith seatback release functionality and showing the armrest raised;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the armrest assembly of FIG. 1 showingthe armrest lowered;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary perspective view of a cable actuating mechanismshown actuated and with a rotating component shown in a first position;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary perspective view of the cable actuatingmechanism shown actuated and with the rotating component in a secondposition;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary perspective view of the cable actuatingmechanism shown unactuated and with the rotating component in the secondposition;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary perspective view showing the cable actuatingmechanism and pivot shaft;

FIG. 7 is a side view showing the cable actuating mechanism actuated;

FIG. 8 is a side view showing the cable actuating mechanism unactuated;

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary perspective view of a fixed component and arotating component and the cable actuating mechanism shown actuated;

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary perspective view of a fixed component and arotating component and the cable actuating mechanism shown unactuated;

FIG. 11 is a fragmentary perspective view of a fixed component and arotating component shown rotated and the cable actuating mechanism shownunactuated;

FIG. 12 is a fragmentary perspective view of a seatback shown reclinedby releasing a seat recline lock device utilizing the cable actuatingmechanism;

FIG. 13 is a fragmentary perspective view of the seatback shown upright;

FIG. 14 is a side view of the seatback shown reclined; and

FIG. 15 is a side view of the seatback shown upright.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

The inventive concepts disclosed herein are generally directed to acable actuating mechanism that actuates through a central pivot axis ofa pivoting mechanism, for example, a pivoting armrest of an aircraftpassenger seat. The pivoting mechanism can be freely rotating or have anelement that dampens the rotation of the pivoting mechanism. Themechanism utilizes two articulating cable actuators that contactopposing ends of a floating pin passing through the center of the pivot.One articulating cable actuator is pivotably attached to the rotatingcomponent of the pivot device, and the other articulating cable actuatoris pivotably attached to the stationary component of the pivot device.

When a first cable at one end of the device is pulled, the articulatingcable actuator attached to the first cable pushes the floating pin intothe articulating cable actuator at the other end of the device, which inturn pulls on the second cable, effectively translating the motion fromthe first cable into the second cable. Because the two articulatingcable actuators are attached to different bodies, for example onerotating and the other fixed, the mechanism operates the same regardlessof the angular position of the two bodies relative to one another.

Compared to a prior art single cable required to be routed around andoutside of the pivoting elements, the present mechanism allows the cableto be split, with one cable connected to the rotating side of the pivotand the other cable connected to the stationary side of the mechanism.Both cable housings can be fixed in place within their respectiveassemblies, thereby preventing damage or wear on the cable housings.

In a non-limiting example, the cable housing connecting to the reclinelock of an aircraft seat can be fixed in place when cycling the pivot ofthe armrest. Additionally, the cable connecting the recline actuator ona pivoting armrest can be housing free, saving cost and weight.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the cable actuating mechanism 100 is shownutilized in an armrest pivot to unlock a remote recline lock of anaircraft seatback. The cable actuating mechanism 100 actuates through acentral pivot axis 102 of a pivoting armrest. The cable actuatingmechanism 100 utilizes two articulating cable actuators arranged tocontact opposing ends of a floating pin passing through the center ofthe pivot axis 102. The first articulating cable actuator is pivotablyattached to a rotating armrest 104, and the second articulating cableactuator is pivotably attached to the stationary seat spreader 106.

An actuator 108, for example a push button actuator, is actuated to pullone end of a first cable 110 of the rotating armrest 104 in a directionof the actuator 108. Pulling the end of the first cable 110 causes thefirst articulating cable actuator to push the floating pin into thearticulating cable actuator of the seat spreader 106, which in turnpulls one end of a second cable 112 of the seat spreader 106,effectively translating the motion from the first cable 110 into thesecond cable 112. Because the first articulating cable actuator isattached to the rotating armrest 104, and the second articulating cableactuator is attached to the stationary seat spreader 106, the cableactuating mechanism 100 operates consistently regardless of the angularposition of the rotating armrest 104 relative to the seat spreader 106.For example, the cable actuating mechanism 100 operates consistent inboth the raised or stowed position of the rotating armrest 104 as shownin FIG. 1, and the lowered or deployed position of the rotating armrest104 as shown in FIG. 2. The actuator 108 operable for pulling the firstcable 110 can be any conventional mechanical or assisted actuator.

Referring to FIG. 3, portions of the cable actuating mechanism 100 areshown without the rotating armrest and stationary seat spreader forclarity. The first articulating cable actuator 114 is pivotably attachedto a first component 116 affixed to the rotating component, for examplethe rotating armrest. The first articulating cable actuator 114 pivotsrelative to the first component 116 about a pivot axis. The firstarticulating cable actuator 114 engages a floating pin 118 slidablydisposed within a pivot shaft 120 of the armrest pivot. In thisarrangement, pulling the end of the first cable 110 remote from thefirst articulating cable actuator 114 causes the first articulatingcable actuator 114 to pivot relative to the first component 116, therebydriving the floating pin 118 into contact with the second articulatingcable actuator 122.

The second articulating cable actuator 122 is pivotably attached to asecond component 124 affixed to the stationary component, for examplethe seat spreader. The second articulating cable actuator 122 pivotsrelative to the second component 124 about a pivot axis in response tothe pushing force from the floating pin 118, thereby pulling one end ofthe second cable 112, translating the motion from the first cable 110into the second cable 112.

The first and second cables 110, 112 can be cables, hydraulic hoses,rods, chains, etc. In a particular embodiment, at least one of the firstand second cables 110, 112 can be a Bowden-style cable generallyincluding a protective sheath, an inner sleeve, and an inner wire.Translation of the inner wire relative to the inner sleeve transmits thepulling force on the first articulating cable actuator 114 in the caseof the first cable 110, and on seat recline lock in the case of thesecond cable 112. The ends of the first and second cables 110, 112 thatengage with the respective first and second articulating cable actuators114, 112 can terminate in a cylindrical nipple 126. The cable-engagingends of the first and second articulating cable actuators 114, 122 canbe split so that the cables 110, 112 are routed through the respectiveends. Pulling the first cable 110 causes the nipple end of the firstcable 110 to pull on the first articulating cable actuator 114 to movethe floating pin 118 and push the second articulating cable actuator 122to cause the second articulating cable actuator 122 to pull the nippleend of the second cable 112.

In a particular embodiment, the first cable 110 can be an unjacketedcable or rod, and the second cable can be a Bowden-style cable wherein aferrule 128 and cable jacket 130 are retained by engagement with thesecond component 124 such that the inner cable of the second cable 112translates relative to the ferrule 128 and cable jacket 130 in responseto pulling motion from the second articulating cable actuator 122.

FIG. 3 shows the first component 116 at an angle to the second component124, wherein the angle may correspond to a lowered or deployed positionof the armrest. FIG. 4 shows the first component 116 parallel to thesecond component 124, which may correspond to a raised or stowedposition of the armrest.

FIG. 5 shows the cable actuating mechanism 100 in an unactuated statewherein the first component 116 is parallel to the second component 124,which may correspond to a raised or stowed position of the armrest. Inthe unactuated state, both articulating cable actuators 114, 122 contactopposing ends of the floating pin 118; however, minimal or no force isexerted on the second articulating cable actuator 122. Thus, as shown inFIG. 5, the cable actuating mechanism 100 is in a “ready” state. Thefloating pin 118 may be at all times in contact with the first andsecond articulating cable actuators 114, 122 so that there is no “play”in the mechanism, and actuating the actuator translates first cablemotion into second cable motion without delay. Any of the floating pin118, first articulating cable actuator 114, and second articulatingcable actuator 122 may be biased in a direction of the unactuated stateof the cable actuating mechanism 100.

FIG. 6 shows the pivot shaft 120 of the armrest, the pivot axis 132 ofthe first articulating cable actuator 114, and the pivot axis 134 of thesecond articulating cable actuator 124. FIG. 6 further show the cableactuating mechanism 100 in the unactuated or ready state and the firstcomponent 116 parallel to the second component 124, which may correspondto the raised or stowed armrest position.

FIG. 7 shows a portion of a pivoting armrest assembly wherein thearmrest 104 is shown in a substantially vertical orientation relative tothe seat spreader 106. The cable actuating mechanism 100 is shown in theactuated state wherein the first cable 110 is pulled causing the secondcable 112 to be pulled. Pivoting motion of the first and secondarticulating cable actuators 114, 122 can be limited using physicalstops. A damper 136 can be incorporated, disposed about the pivot shaft120, to dampen armrest pivoting motion and/or movement of the floatingpin 118 toward the unactuated position. The floating pin 118 canterminate in an enlarged rounded head 138 to ensure smooth motion andcontinuous engagement with the first articulating cable actuator 114.The enlarged head 138 can also serve as a stop by way of contact of aninner end of the head with an armrest structure, thus determining thehorizontal travel extent of the floating pin 118 in a direction of thesecond articulating cable actuator 122. Each of the first and secondarticulating cable actuators 114, 122, can have a curved profile aboutwhich the floating pin 118 engages through the range of pivoting motionthe articulating cable actuators.

FIG. 8 shows the pivoting armrest assembly wherein the armrest 104 israised and the cable actuating mechanism 100 unactuated. FIGS. 7 and 8further show that the first and second articulating cable actuators 114,122 remain in contact with the opposing ends of the floating pin 118 inboth the actuated and unactuated states of the cable actuating mechanism100.

FIGS. 9 and 10 shows the armrest 104 in a lowered or deployed positionand the cable actuating mechanism 100 in the respective actuated andunactuated states. FIG. 11 shows the armrest 104 in a raised or stowedposition and the cable actuating mechanism 100 in the unactuated state.

FIG. 12 shows a portion of an aircraft passenger seat 140 generallyincluding a seatback 142. Seatback recline is achieved by way of thecable actuating mechanism 100 incorporated into the pivoting armrest 104and stationary seat spreader 106. The cable actuating mechanism 100actuates through the central pivot axis of the pivoting armrest 104. Onearticulating cable actuator is pivotably attached to the rotatingarmrest 104, and the other articulating cable actuator is pivotablyattached to the stationary seat spreader 106, and both actuators contactthe floating pin as discussed above.

In use, the first cable 110 on the armrest side of the mechanism ispulled, thereby articulating the armrest cable actuator attached to thefirst cable causing the floating pin to push into the articulating cableactuator on the seat spreader side of the mechanism, which in turn pullson the second cable 112, effectively translating the motion from thefirst cable 110 into the second cable 112. The opposing end of thesecond cable, i.e., the cable end opposite the second articulating cableactuator, is coupled to a seat recline lock 144. The pull on the secondcable 112, releases the seat recline lock 144, thereby allowing seatbackrecline.

The seat recline lock 144 can be a mechanical actuator such as ahydraulic cylinder. A piston rod of the hydraulic cylinder can bereleased to allow the seatback to recline during flight, as shown inFIGS. 12 and 14. Seatback recline can be achieved by actuator theactuator 108, and maintaining the actuator in the actuated positionthereof while urging the seatback toward the reclined position. Theseatback can be returned to the upright sitting position, for examplefor taxi, take-off and landing, by actuating the actuator while leaningforward and allowing the stored force in the hydraulic cylinder toreturn the seat to upright, as shown in FIGS. 13 and 15.

The cable actuating mechanism can be utilized in an armrest pivot of anaircraft seat to achieve a total width across the rotating armrest andthe stationary component less than 8 cm, more preferably about 5 cm.Other applications for the cable actuating mechanism described hereinare envisioned including, but not limited to, any prior art single cablemechanism wherein the cable is routed around and outside of pivotingelements, and which can benefit from a split cable to reduce width, aswell as fix both cable housings in place within their respectiveassemblies, thereby preventing damage or wear on the cable housings.

The foregoing description provides embodiments of the invention by wayof example only. It is envisioned that other embodiments may performsimilar functions and/or achieve similar results. Any and all suchembodiments and examples are within the scope of the present inventionand are intended to be covered by the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A cable actuating mechanism, comprising: a firstarticulating cable actuator affixed to a rotating component and a firstcable coupled at one end to the first articulating cable actuator and atan opposing end to an actuator configured to apply a pulling force onthe first cable; a second articulating cable actuator affixed to astationary component and a second cable coupled at one end to the secondarticulating cable actuator and at an opposing end to a deviceresponsive to a pulling force on the second cable; and a pivotingmechanism comprising a floating pin slidably disposed through a centerof a pivot shaft coupling the rotating component and the stationarycomponent, the first articulating cable actuator contacting one end ofthe floating pin and the second articulating cable actuator contactingan opposing end of the floating pin such that pulling force on the firstcable pulls the second cable to actuate the device.
 2. The cableactuating mechanism of claim 1, wherein pulling force on the first cablearticulates the first articulating cable actuator to move the floatingpin to articulate the second articulating cable actuator causing thesecond cable to be pulled.
 3. The cable actuating mechanism of claim 1,wherein the first articulating cable actuator is pivotally attached tothe rotating component and the second articulating cable actuator ispivotally attached to the stationary component.
 4. The cable actuatingmechanism of claim 1, wherein the pivoting mechanism further comprises adamper configured to dampen rotation of the pivoting mechanism.
 5. Thecable actuating mechanism of claim 1, wherein cable actuation isconsistent regardless of angular position of the rotating componentrelative to the stationary component.
 6. The cable actuating mechanismof claim 1, wherein the first cable is a jacketed cable, a naked cableor a rod.
 7. The cable actuating mechanism of claim 1, wherein thesecond cable is a jacketed cable, and a jacket of the jacketed cable isfixed at one end to the stationary component.
 8. The cable actuatingmechanism of claim 1, wherein the pivoting mechanism further comprisesat least one additional actuator for actuating a second device having afunction different from a function of the device.
 9. The cable actuatingmechanism of claim 1, wherein the actuator is a push button and thestationary component is a seat frame member.
 10. The cable actuatingmechanism of claim 1, wherein a total width across the rotatingcomponent and the stationary component is less than 8 cm.
 11. The cableactuating mechanism of claim 1, wherein a total width across therotating component and the stationary component is less than 5 cm. 12.The cable actuating mechanism of claim 1, wherein the actuator is a pushbutton actuator, the rotating component is an armrest, the stationarycomponent is a fixed seat spreader, and the device is a hydraulic lockconfigured to unlock a seatback pivotally attached to the fixed seatspreader in response to pulling force from the second cable.
 13. A cableactuating mechanism that actuates through a central pivot axis of apivoting mechanism, the pivoting mechanism comprising: a floating pinslidably disposed through a center of a pivot shaft; a firstarticulating cable actuator pivotally attached to a rotating componentand positioned in contact one end of the floating pin; a secondarticulating cable actuator pivotally attached to a stationary componentand positioned in contact with an opposing end of the floating pin, therotating component rotatably coupled to the stationary component; afirst cable attached to the first articulating cable actuator and anactuator; and a second cable attached to the second articulating cableactuator and a device; wherein the actuator is actuated to pull thefirst cable to pivot the first articulating cable actuator to move thefloating pin thereby pivoting the second cable actuator to pull thesecond cable to operate the device.
 14. The cable actuating mechanism ofclaim 12, wherein the rotating component is an armrest, the stationarycomponent is a seat frame member, and the device is a lock device forunlocking recline of a seatback pivotally attached to the seat framemember.